The 50,000 mile signup bonus from United Airlines is back!
If you’re looking for a new travel credit card, I highly recommend the United Mileage Plus Select Visa. I previously discussed this card in April 2010 during their last signup promotion.
A quick review of the features:
* 50,000 mile signup bonus (i.e. 55,000 gets you a free trip to Europe)
* 3 miles per dollar spent on United purchases
* 2 miles per dollar on gas, dining, groceries, and home improvement
* 1 mile per dollar on everything else
* 5,000 bonus miles each year on your anniversary of signing up
* annual fee waived for the first year (normally $95/year)
I personally use a United card and love it. Take a look at my About Me page. I’ve traveled to quite a few countries (and still counting), and redeeming miles has paid for many trips.
Its slightly tricky signing up, so make sure to follow these exact steps:
1. Go to www.thatsaplus.com (the website United is using for this promotion)
2. Click on the “Get Your Special Offer” tab
3. Click on the green “Log In”
4. Type in your United Mileage Plus frequent flier number (if you don’t have an account, sign up for free)
5. At this point, you can now apply for the offer (Update: This is a screenshot of the offer that I receive)
The United Visa card is excellent. I highly recommend this card to anyone looking to travel.
I’ve often been torn between two competing notions. Is buying a coffee out a Starbucks or McDonalds a
- worthwhile luxury that gives a chance to relax and socialize
- or a waste of money that accumulates over time, money that could be much better saved
At the end of the day, does it really matter?
4 Ways to Save on Amtrak
For Thanksgiving I was traveling to visit my parents when it occured to me: I actually know the Amtrak system fairly well. Amtrak’s pricing system is far simpler than any of the airlines!
There are a few important variables to saving money on Amtrak:
- Purchase your ticket far in advance. The prices increase linearly as you get closer to the travel date.
- Use a AAA or Student Discount to get 10% off (keep in mind, you must book 3 days in advance to get these discounts!)
- Search Google and other discount sites (retailmenot.com is one of my favorites) for coupon/discount codes
- Sign up for their frequent traveler program and check their site amtrakguestrewards.com for double miles and other current promotions
Had I book my Thanksgiving trip on the day of travel, it would have cost $71. By following the above tips, I saved over $25 and it costs me just $42. If anyone has other good tips for saving on Amtrak, please leave a note.
P.S. I love some of the people in the background that showed up during my filming at Penn Station!
